PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED MALTED SORGHUM SPROUT MIXED WITH PINEAPPLE WASTE BASED DIET

Abstract

The feeding value of malted sorghum sprout mixed with pineapple waste (MSPW) was evaluated using 16 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats in a completely randomized design for 84 days. The malted sorghum sprout and pineapple waste mixture were obtained at ratio 1:2 (weight/weight) respectively. MSPW was included in compounded ration at varying proportions of 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% MSPW respectively formulate four dietary treatments. Data were collected on growth performance and digestibility. Result showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) on the growth performance parameters measured in this study but the highest value of final body weight (7.79 kg), Average daily weight gain (19.21 g/day), metabolic weight (9.14 g/day) and Concentrate DMI (200.03 g/day) was observed in 20% MSPW while the lowest value was obtained in 40% MSPW. Goats fed 20% MSPW had the best feed conversion ratio value (17.15). Significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments were observed in all the nutrient digestibility parameters measured except the ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and the cellulose. Highest dry matter, crude protein, ash, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin and hemicellulose digestibility values were observed in goats fed 20% MSPW. It was concluded that MSPW could be used up to 20% in WAD goats' diet without any adverse effect on the growth performance and nutrient utilization purposely to increase animal productivity at least cost.